Compare towns
Franconia vs Portsmouth vs South Hampton vs Bethlehem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Franconia has the oldest population (median age 55.6).
Portsmouth has the most renters (48.1% rent).
South Hampton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9.8%).
Bethlehem has the most affordable homes ($288k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Franconia | Portsmouth | South Hampton | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,060 |
22,545Highest |
984Lowest |
2,537 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.9%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
+5.7% NH: +4.6% |
+9.8%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.7% NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 55.6±7Highest 28% above NH |
42.9±2Lowest about the NH average |
45.1±5.3 4% above NH |
50.6±8.5 17% above NH |
| Franconia and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.2%±5.5 NH: 18.2% |
14%±1.9Lowest NH: 18.2% |
23.3%±5.8Highest NH: 18.2% |
17.7%±5.4 NH: 18.2% |
| South Hampton and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 36.6%±6.7Highest NH: 20.1% |
21.9%±2.4 NH: 20.1% |
16.5%±1.4Lowest NH: 20.1% |
28.2%±5.5 NH: 20.1% |
| Franconia and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 57.9% NH: 40.6% |
64%Highest NH: 40.6% |
52.4% NH: 40.6% |
45.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5%±5.4Highest NH: 6% |
3.8%±1.2 NH: 6% |
2.7%±1.6 NH: 6% |
0.9%±0.9Lowest NH: 6% |
| Franconia and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $87,292±$28k 12% below NH |
$106,219±$7k 7% above NH |
$152,500±$44kHighest 54% above NH |
$85,029±$18kLowest 14% below NH |
| South Hampton and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $530,300±$96k 32% above NH |
$688,500±$39kHighest 71% above NH |
$661,100±$45k 64% above NH |
$288,300±$22kLowest 28% below NH |
| Portsmouth and South Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,281±$278 14% below NH |
$1,869±$111 25% above NH |
$1,889±$489Highest 27% above NH |
$1,174±$81Lowest 21% below NH |
| South Hampton and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,451 12% above NH |
$8,018 20% above NH |
$9,109Highest 37% above NH |
$5,418Lowest 19% below NH |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 73.2%±74.4Highest NH: 48.2% |
50.4%±7.2 NH: 48.2% |
30%±40.8Lowest NH: 48.2% |
41.3%±18.3 NH: 48.2% |
| Franconia and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.4%Highest NH: 7.2% |
6.8% NH: 7.2% |
3.3%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
10.1% NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 83.1% NH: 72.8% |
51.9%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
88.6%Highest NH: 72.8% |
75.3% NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 2 yrs newer than NH |
1959Lowest 20 yrs older than NH |
1976 3 yrs older than NH |
1973 6 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 25% below NH |
22 min 17% below NH |
28 minHighest 6% above NH |
20 min 24% below NH |
| Work from home | 11.9%±5.1Lowest NH: 16.8% |
21.9%±4 NH: 16.8% |
17%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
31.2%±12.9Highest NH: 16.8% |
| Bethlehem and Portsmouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | #11 of 120 in NH | — | #34 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Lafayette Regional School District | Portsmouth School District | South Hampton School District | Bethlehem School District · Profile School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Portsmouth High School | None in town | Profile Senior High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.4Highest |
— | 8.9Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
NH average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.